Protective mask



H. A. FEE

PROTECTIVE MASK July 11, 1933.

Filed Jan. 1931 Patented July 11, 1933 nanny a. ran. or ADRIAN, mcmean'raotrnc'rrvn MASK Application filed January This invention relates toprotective masks.

This invention has-utility when incorpo;

rated in a mask to be worn while in run healthful atmospheres. Referringto the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, parts being.

broken away, of a mask embodying the in vention herein;

Fig. 2 is a view looking into the mask from the face receiving sidethereof;

Fig. Fig. and

Fig. 6 is a view on the line VT-VL Fig. 41.

The mask of the invention herein is designed to be worn by personsworking'in atmospheres surcharged with foreign or obnoxious matter, suchas regions in the vi cinity of spray painting'and the like. The mask isdesigned to not only protect the eyes and up] er face portions, but alsoto in.-.v sure to the wearer an ample supply of un contaminated airwhile preventing the breathing of unhealthful air, alsoproviding amaximum freedom and comfort to the wearer. i I

The mask comprises an annular frame 1 a is a view on the line IVIV, Fig.2; 5 1s a view on the line V;V, Fig. 1;

designed to encircle a face and is provided with lining 2 of acushioning means which may be a pneumatic tube, or the like. Thisconstruction permits the frame'to be comfortably and easily fitted to awide range of shapes and types of faces. with buckle 1 serves asadjustable means for fitting and maintaining the frame onhead 5 of awearer. Attached to the frame 1 is a member 6 forming a visor extendingto form a protective shield for the foreheadand upper portions of theface. This visoro terminates in edge 7 between drop sides 8 which formblinders or side protective shields in the vicinity of the eyes.

The visor 6 is provided with fan-shaped duct 9 therethrough tohavedischarge opening 10 along the edge 7 of this visor, the ductextendin to airsupply line 11.

The visor is attached tothc frame 1, and the duct 9 has needle valve12therein for" control of the air supply from the line 11V to determinethe discharge from the opening 10. The discharge forms a film of airjetted downwardly as a curtain in front of the eyes of the wearer of themask, tending to a is a View on the line 111411, ri

trap 3 provided 1921. Serial No. 506,159.

prevent particles of foreign matter passing through the opening.provided for vision be.

low the visor. This film orcurtain ofzair is sufficient for normalusages to ,affordample protection against particles of materialgettinginto the eyes. I

. The visor 6 has additional duct 13 there through from the line 11 andhas needle valve 1 1 therein for controlling air flow to branch line 15extendin downwardly about the frame and through the frame at its lowerportion or at a region below'the chin receiving portion. This duct 15 isprovided with slot 16 having baffle 17 thereaboveso that air dischargedinto the lower portion of the mask from this line 15 is directedoutwardly from the wearer.

Hinged to the lower portion of theframe 1 1s mouth and nose cover 18contoured to form a shield for the lower TEZLCG'POIUOHS while not comingin contact with any part thereof. Spring finger 19 'coacts with the line15 as a. snap connect on to hold the sh eldin upward orsh1eld1ngpos1t1on. Button 2O facilitates the opening of the shield toallow the wearer to expectorate or attend the nose without removing themask. I The air discharge in the lower portion of the mask from the slot16 discharges as a film against thisshield 18 and is thereby directedupwardly to be breathed by thewearer, the excess'and exhaled air beingdischarged over the upper edge 21 thereof. .The edge QL-does not reachthe edge 7 of the visor, and there is thus provided clearspace 22therebetween affording an opening for vision as well as an outlet forexcess and exhaled air.

The air discharging through the opening between the visor and cover willunder some conditions be sufficient alone toprotect the wearer fromundesirable substances with a resulting economy in the use of air.

In. some instances it may be desirable to 7 add a further protection forthe eyes and mask. The transparency may be used in lieu of an air filmfrom the visor or in some instances f air. may be delivered from thevisor when the transparency is attached thereto, the latter-especiallywhen unusually fine particles of foreign matter tend to quickly cloudthe vision therethrough.

to provide an expansion chamber 25 in the line 11.: This may be of arelatively small volume and be attached to belt 26 of the wearer and theflow thereto controlled by valve 27 in line 28 extending from a suitablesource of air supply under pressure. The

'valve 27 may be adjusted to prevent too great a pressure reaching theline 11. The expansion chamber 25 allows the air to be prewarm'ed sothat when discharged intothe mask it will not have, a chilling effect onthe wearer. The line 11 extending to the belt 26 also prevents directpulling of the air supply line on the upper portion of the mask, andalso retains the air line 11 out of the way from interference therefromwhile working. 3

There is thus provided a protective mask designed to give-maximumcomfort to the wearer, to supply a volume of clean air in excess of thebreathing capacity of the wearer so that no air will be drawn intothemask from the surrounding atmosphere. There is also provided a meansfol-creating an air film or curtain acrossthe eyes of the wearerpreventing particles of foreign matter getting thereinto, and the hingednose and mouth shield further add conveniences for the wearer. Theremovable t-ransparency protects the clear space 22 without obstructingdischarge of exhaled air. The air regulators in the branch lines permita nicety of adjustment to care for a wide range of conditions, while thediffusion of the air in the mask prevents a direct jetting against theface. When used in connection with spray painting, the line 28 mayreceiv'eits supply from the same source of pressure used by the sprayingdevices.

The mask may have straps 3 attached invarious manners affording comfortto" the wearer under different conditions. Also, the mask may be usedwith one of many of the well-known types of spray paintinghoods coveringall or any desired portion of the head. 7 What is claimed and itisdesired tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A mask-comprising a face encircling band forming a framehaving avisor, a lower'face portion shield hinged to said frame extending upwardto leave a clear space betweensaid shield and visor, and

an air supply to said mask having a discharge within the shield. V I

2. A mask comprising a face encircling band forming a frame having avisor, a

lower face portion shield hinged to said frame, an air supply to saidframe having a'branch extending to discharge at the visor 1,917,9ei Iedge and havinga branch to discharge with- "lower face portion shieldhingedto said frame, an ail-supply to said frame having a branchextending to discharge at the visor edge and having a branch todischarge with.- in the shield outwardly from the wearer against thelower portion of the mouth shield. V I 4. A mask comprising an annularframe to fit around the face, a visor extending therefrom, a relativelyshiftable lower face portion shield hinged to said frame, an air supplyextending to the frame having a branch through the visor to bedischarged as a film of air from theedge thereof.

5. A mask comprisingan annular frame to surround the face, avisorextending therefrom, a relatively shiftable lower face portion shieldhinged to said frame, an air supply extending to the frame having abranch through the visor to be discharged as a film of air from the edgethereof, and a branch extending along the frame to discharge into thelower portion of the shield outwardly from the wearer.

6. A mask comprising an annular frame of sheet metal having cushioningmeans thereabout to surround a face, a visor ex tending from said frame,a relatively shiftable lower face portion shield hinged to said frame,and a clip carried by said shield coacting with said frame to hold theshield against the frame in face protecting position.

7. A mask comprising a frame, a visor extending therefrom, a lower faceportion shield carried by the frame extending toward the visor andleaving a clear space therebetween, and a transparency having clipfitconnection with the free edge ofthe visor to extendtherefrom over saidclear space.

5 8. A mask having a frame, a relatively shiftablelower face portionshield and an air supply to the shield interior comprising a film of airdirected away from the wearer onto the lower shield region and upwardlyalong the shield to be discharged over the top :edge thereof.

9. A mask comprising a face encircling band forming a frame having avisor, a lower face portion shield hinged to said frame, an air supplyto said frame having a branch extending to discharge at the visor edgeand having a branch to discharge within the shield away fromthe wearer,and an independently controlledair supply for each branch In witnesswhereof'I aflix my signature.

7 f HARRY A. FEE.

